Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-24
SHE GROOMED BY HIS SIDE.
A Sensational Elopement in Astoria
Reveals a Romantic Story.
From the Ne,o York World.

From tho Weto York World.
One OF the handsomest estates in Asto-
ria Is owned by e. j. Woolsey, broker
in Broad street, whose city residence is
at No. Lexington avenue. During the
winter months the place has, for years
past, been in charge of John Wright, a
good-looking, jolly fellow, about 35 years
old, who, with his wife and two children,
lived in neat little cottage on Flushing
avenue, on the outskirts of the estate.
About three months ago Wright COM
planned to his employer that the groom
was not competent, and when he was told
to discharge him he recommended as his
successor bright young boy from this
city, who was soon duly installed In the
stables. on the top floor OF which he slept
in a room previously occupied by Wright
when he was too busy to return home.
The lad was active, intelligent and will
ing, and as he did not appear as rough as
grOoms generally are. he soon became a
very general favorite. By none, however,
was he more liked Than by Wright, and
the latter'S fancy seemed to be returned,
for the two Were always in each others
company. In fact, so greatly did W right
seem to appreciate the lads society. that
whereas he had passed all hIs evenings
with mis- family before the boys arrival,
every evening. When Harry West, as
the lad was called, became acquainted
around the village he Immediately made
friends of every one, particularly the
young ladies', with whom he seemed to
delight in joking.
1t was shortly after midday Tuesday
when a man entered the saloon of the
Wayside House, and after taking a drink
coolly informed the barkeeper that his
Nj oft n VIZ fnr fhn of
killing his wife, who, he said, had run
away from him with q cOachman named
Wright, into whose body he also intended
to put few bullets. The saloon-keeper,
who is friend Of Wright, thought that
the man, who gave his name as Michael
Donoghue, was crazy, sent a message to
warn Wright, and, in order to give him
time to prepare himself, entered into
conversation with and treated Donoghue.
In about an hour, however, the man left
the saloon and went direct to Mr.. Wool
sey's stables, the door of which was
locked. Inquiring of one of the attend
ants as to where Wright was, he was
told that about fifteen minutes previously
he had harnessed up one Of the horses,
and with Harry, the groom, had gone for
drive.
Thence Donoghue went to Wright's
house and met Mrs. Wright, who, In
answer to his question as to where her
husband was, said that some time pre-
viously he had driven up to the house,
leaving Harry, the groom, on the wagon.
He was in great hurry, and, taking $500
from his trunk, had left. saying that he
was going to put 1T in bank. Mrs.
Wright then asked Donoghue what was
his business with her husband, and he
bluntly told her that Wright had induced
his wife to leave him. and that he be-
lieved she was somewhere about the
grounds with him.
"Its Harry" exclaimed Mrs. Wright,
her wOman's instinct at once giving her
the explanation. She recalled the groom's
smooth, wOmanly face, her small white
hands, her girlish manners and her soft
voice, all of which had failed TO arouse
her suspicious previously. When Mrs.
Wright communicated to others her solu-
ton of the case everybody at once agreed
with her, and the only wonder was that
the girl could have duped them so clev-
erly. Donoghue returned to this city
vowing vengeance upon Wright should
he ever meet him. Mrs. Donoghue is
about 80 years, is a pretty brunette, and
when she took upon herself to become a
groom she had cut Of her luxuriant hair.
Mrs. Wright Is discons olate, as her
husband left her entirely without means.
1t is not known where the runaway
couple went, but 1t is supposed that they
came to this city.
1t was said yesterday by man who
knows Donoghue that he was not the
husband of the runaway woman.
Donoghue is a horse-trainer, il is said,
and about fifteen years ago was engaged
to the girl. He went South and when he
returned he found that she had married a
man named Lynch. 1t Is said that he
drove Lynch out Of the house and took
the woman to live with him as his wife,
and they lived together until Oct. 90 last,
when returning home Donoghue found
that she had sold all the furniture and
had run away. He did not learn where
she was until last week, when, IL is sair,
her sister, of whom Wright had once been
fond told HIM.